# US 10,375,518 B2 · Device and method for monitoring proximity between two devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,375,518 B2 - Document ID: US10375518B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/549,503 - Filed: 2014-11-20 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-22 - Assignees: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings, SAS - Applicants: Thomson Licensing - Inventors: Philippe Gilberton; Yvon Legallais; Patrick Fontaine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10375518B2 ## CPC - H04W 4/023: {using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds} - G08B 13/1427: {with transmitter-receiver for distance detection} - G08B 21/0213: {System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded (disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409)} - G08B 21/0247: {System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength} - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A device and method for monitoring a first device proximity to a second device is disclosed. The first device is for example a smartphone and the second device is for example a wearable device. Proximity between both devices is monitored in conjunction with an electronic calendar so as to trigger an alert in case proximity between both devices is going to be lost while an event of the calendar is imminent. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of monitoring a first device proximity to a second device, the method comprising: monitoring at least one wireless link between said first device and said second device; notifying a user about a loss of proximity of said first device by triggering an alert of the loss of proximity of said first device by the second device when said at least one wireless link is disrupted while a calendar event stored in an electronic calendar is imminent; and increasing, from a lower level to a higher level, the alert of the loss of proximity of said first device as the calendar event becomes more imminent, wherein the monitoring of the at least one wireless link is performed periodically by the first device or by the second device, wherein a frequency of said monitoring increases as the calendar event becomes more imminent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless link is disrupted when a Received Signal Strength Indication, RSSI, measured on said at least one wireless link between the first device and the second device is less than a threshold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein said threshold increases as said calendar event becomes more imminent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein if the first device is in a public area, said method comprises locking said first device when the at least one wireless link with the second device is disrupted. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the level of the alert further depends on a location type of the first device, said location type belonging to a set consisting of a public location and a private location. ### Claim 6 A first device for monitoring proximity with a second device, said first device comprising a processor configured to: monitor at least one wireless link between said first device and a second device; send to the second device a notification about a loss of proximity of said first device, wherein the notification triggers an alert of the loss of proximity of said first device in the second device when said at least one wireless link is disrupted while a calendar event stored in an electronic calendar is imminent; and increase, from a lower level to a higher level, the alert of the loss of proximity of said first device as the calendar event becomes more imminent, wherein the at least one wireless link is periodically monitored by the first device or by the second device at a frequency increasing as the calendar event becomes more imminent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The first device of claim 6, wherein said first device is able to access to said electronic calendar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The first device of claim 6, wherein said first device comprises a motion sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The first device of claim 6, wherein said first device is a mobile communication terminal, particularly a smartphone or a tablet or a laptop. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The first device of claim 6, wherein the level of the alert further depends on a location type of the first device, said location type belonging to a set consisting of a public location and a private location. ### Claim 11 A second device monitoring a proximity with a first device, said second device comprising a processor configured to: access to an electronic calendar; monitor at least one wireless link between a first device and said second device; notify a user about a loss of proximity of said first device by triggering an alert of the loss of proximity of said first device when said at least one wireless link is disrupted while a calendar event stored in an electronic calendar is imminent; and increase, from a lower level to a higher level, the alert of the loss of proximity of said first device as the calendar event becomes more imminent, wherein the at least one wireless link is periodically monitored by the first device or by the second device at a frequency increasing as the calendar event becomes more imminent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The second device of claim 11, wherein said second device comprises a motion sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The second device of claim 11, wherein said second device is a smart watch. ### Claim 14 A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions which upon execution cause a processor to: monitor at least one wireless link between a first device and a second device; notify a user about a loss of proximity of said first device by triggering an alert of the loss of proximity of said first device by the second device when said at least one wireless link is disrupted while a calendar event stored in an electronic calendar is imminent; and increase, from a lower level to a higher level, the alert of the loss of proximity of said first device as the calendar event becomes more imminent, wherein the at least one wireless link is periodically monitored by the first device or by the second device at a frequency increasing as the calendar event becomes more imminent. ### Claim 15 A method for monitoring proximity between devices, said method comprising: accessing, by a second device, an electronic calendar; monitoring, by the second device, at least one wireless link between a first device and said second device; notifying, by the second device, a user about a loss of proximity of said first device by triggering an alert of the loss of proximity of said first device, by the second device when said at least one wireless link is disrupted while a calendar event stored in an electronic calendar is imminent; and increasing, from a lower level to a higher level, the alert of the loss of proximity of said first device as the calendar event becomes more imminent, wherein the at least one wireless link is periodically monitored by the first device or by the second device at a frequency increasing as the calendar event becomes more imminent. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein said second device comprises a motion sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein said second device is a smart watch.